tie a can to it

English

Verb

tie a can to it (third-person singular simple present ties a can to it, present participle tying a can to it, simple past and past participle tied a can to it)

1. (US, slang, dated, imperative) To forget it; to put an end to it.
   • 1909, A.G. Hendricks, Judicious Advertising and Advertising Experience, page 33:

     For ten years this phrase has proved the life of the agency business, and to tie a can to it today might terminate more seriously than could be imagined.

   • 1917, B. M. Bower, Starr, of the Desert, page 26:

     You better tie a can to it, sis; it don't get over with me.

   • 2011, Dolores Gordon-Smith, A Hundred Thousand Dragons:

     Damn the past. Let's tie a can to it.

   • 2012, Jack Vance, Golden Girl and Other Stories:

     Jean said disgustedly, “Tie a can to it, Webbard. Talk sense.”